The Family Engagement and Leadership framework serves as a roadmap for family-centered, family-led partnership. It helps DPfC and community partners create meaningful opportunities to engage with and learn from the primary adults in a child’s life. The vision is that families feel supported in accessing services, making informed choices, and developing leadership skills to advocate for their children, themselves, and for systems change. Family Engagement and Leadership is dedicated to lifting the voices and lived experiences of families to strengthen North Carolina’s birth-to-five early childhood system. By working alongside local agencies and programs, parent leaders will help shape approaches that reflect family perspectives and ensure programs are responsive to real needs.
As parent leaders, you will have opportunities to deepen your knowledge of the early childhood system, strengthen your leadership skills, and use your voice to advocate for your child, your family, and other families across the community—ultimately contributing to a stronger, more equitable early childhood system for all. Anyone who cares about the well-being of our young children are encouraged to support your local Smart Start partnerships. Together, we can create a more inclusive, equitable early childhood system where all children thrive.
Receive incentives and recognition provided at different points of membership
Gain valuable leadership skills
Gain knowledge of how early childhood systems operate in our community
Build connections with community partners
Join a welcoming meeting environment where we value your input as the experts you are
Attend monthly coalition meetings with the Family Engagement and Leadership team
Receive educational materials distributed in advance of the meetings to review at your own pace
Receive support and guidance as needed with your engagement activities
For more information on state-level work, visit Family Engagement & Leadership within the Smart Start Network.
